Two Vintage Things

We had family pictures taken yesterday.  I haven't been feeling great about how I've looked lately (do you ever get in those places?) but I'm hoping that we got some good shots.  Besides, it's not about me and how I look, it's more about capturing our family in this moment in time.   I might not have felt great about my hair, etc., but I sure did love the dress I wore.  It's a vintage dress that I got on Etsy and the hot pink made me happy!  Also, a friend recently got me this hook that I hung up in my "dressing area" in the bathroom.  I just love it and I appreciate that when she spotted it in the antique store she thought of me!

Vintage Ribbon

Whew.  It has really been a whirl-wind few weeks!  Everything has been loads of fun, but now I'm feeling very not caught up!  Laundry has piled up, dust bunnies are in abundance, pictures need to be sorted and emails are out of control (mostly spam I think!).

Following right on the heels of our Utah trip, I went to New York City for an overnight trip.  One of our stops was a trim store in the fashion district.  It was like a candy store of ribbon, trim and pretty things.  We thought we might be in heaven.  I was so sorry that I didn't have a camera but we shall be returning soon (we were running behind and only got a very short time in the store!).  I bought this 3 inch wide vintage ribbon,  it's from the 1950's and is unlike any ribbon I've ever held.  It sort of glows and feels heavy and silky in your hand.  I know that sounds over the top but it's true.  Can someone please explain to me why they can't make things like this anymore?  I asked the clerk how they find these vintage items and she told me that they are all from the store.  The owners grandfather opened the store over 80 years ago and has kept all the inventory over the years.  Can you imagine?  It was fabulous.

A vintage shirt

A couple of weeks ago I found this cute, summery shirt at a local consignment shop.  Apparently, it is from the 1970's and was made in Greece.  I envision it over a bathing suit, with shorts and cute strappy sandals and/or skinny jeans and flats.  I love the detail.  Now if only I could wear it in Greece...

A ball, a vacation and a vintage dress

Last night we attended a charity ball. It was a lot of fun and gave me an opportunity to wear a dress I purchased last fall at a vintage/consignment store. I figure maybe it was a bridesmaid's dress in the 70's? I loved wearing it (Bryce told me I looked like a fairy when I put it on!)- it just felt special. (this was the only picture I took with our little camera- I might post more when I get copies)

I just booked us a trip to the Blue Isle Peninsula in Maine. It's home of author's E.B. White (Charlotte's Web) and Robert McCloskey (One Morning in Maine). Both stories were set in the area. Is it wrong to plan a vacation around children's books?

A Bermuda Bag

Last fall I got this darling bag from a consignment store (for something like $10). I carried it Friday and Saturday night and it was so much fun to see everyone's reaction to it! Apparently, I was the only one in the 80's that did not have a Bermuda bag! Almost everyone remembered their own Bermuda bag with true fondness. Now I love the bag even more. Did any of you have one? Did you have multiple covers? One with your monogram? Do tell.

Marshmallow Tin

Several months ago I was browsing through an antique store when I came upon this tin. I liked it at the time but did not purchase it. However, on the drive home an idea came to me as to what would be the perfect use for it. I had to go back and buy it. We used it for the first time on Friday and I am delighted with its new use. Can you guess what we are using it for?

Add some of these...

And these...

Now we are ready to make s'mores at a moments notice!

An herb garden and spoon markers

I'm thrilled to report that I have planted an herb garden! Last year I had an herb garden window box but this year I decided to dedicate a larger bed for the herbs! I bought all starter plants (instead of trying to grow from seed) and it made everything quick and easy! I can hardly wait for them to start growing (a bunny has already taken the parsley down to the ground!).

As much as I love the herb garden, what I'm really smitten with are the antique spoon garden markers that I made! They were fairly easy and very rewarding to make! Really. This was one of my favorite projects that I've ever done! I think I will do a post on how to make them. Anyone interested? (I think that you can see the spoons better if you click on the pictures.)

Vintage Play dough

While Bryce's parents were here they pulled out an old toy of Bryce's (both our parents were good about saving quality toys). It was a playdough set (minus the old playdough) that had a salon chair and people in desperate need of some haircare! The little people grew lush locks of hair, got a cut and a shave and even went patriotic! I'll let the pictures speak for themselves...

Antique Frame + Grace= Beautiful

A couple of years ago my mom spotted a frame at an antique shop that she really thought I would like because it had a bow at the top (she's good like that). I love bows, always have. Does anyone remember BABS? She's waiting patiently in my basement for the day she can be used again! Anyway, when we had our family picture taken over the summer the photographer got a really beautiful shot of Grace. I thought that the feminine frame would be really great for her picture. I took the photo up to our local framer. He cut the picture and put a back on it...all for free! Another reason to support local businesses.

Vintage Finds

This weekend I went to pick out paint colors for our porch (more on that later), and I had an opportunity to run in one of my favorite antique stores. While there, I found two tablecloths for my table (vintage) that we bought for our front porch. Perhaps I've seen too many beautiful table settings in Martha, but I have a fantasy of having the perfect tablecloths and table settings for every occasion. I feel like I got one step closer to that dream! Never mind that I can barely get the table set most of the time! As a bonus, my mom found a flower frog at a garage sale for 50 cents (she is the queen of good finds) and got it for me. I had recently seen some flower frogs at an antique store for $18 apiece. I wish that it would help to fulfill my dream of being able to put beautiful flower arrangements together, but alas, try as I might I can't seem to get the hang of that. The flower frog is a step in the right direction I suppose.

The flowers are printed on this tablecloth. I thought it would be fun because it has red and sage - the color of the furniture and pillows on our front porch.

The flowers are embroidered on this one, which makes it really lovely. This makes me think of having girls over for lunch with a bouquet of flowers on the table.